India vs South Africa: I am ready to bat in any position, says Cheteshwar Pujara

India will be playing four Test matches against South Africa starting from 5 November.

October 30, 2015 15:00 IST

India are gearing up for the four-match Test series against South Africa. Having lost the ODI and the T20 series against the Proteas, India will be looking to hold their fortress against the upbeat visitors.

Cheteshwar Pujara, who will be a crucial member of this Indian Test side in the upcoming Test series, is confident that he will give his best and is also ready to bat in any position depending on the team's requirement.

"I don't know about my position in the team. Once I get into the team I will have a word with the captain and the coach and will get to know in detail what number they want me to bat at," Pujara told the reporters at a press conference in Mumbai on Thursday.

"Depending on the team's requirement I am ready to play. Overall the preparations have been good. Whatever number I will be asked to bat I will be ready to bat. Overall I have batted at number three, which is at times as good as opening the batting. It is not a huge difference to change the batting order when it comes to me. As I have batted at No.3 for long I have the experience of facing the new ball. So technically I do not have to do a major difference in my batting."

The statistics of the Ranji Trophy season may not speak highly of this Saurashtra batsman, but his century (145) in the third and final Test against Sri Lanka earlier this year will give him a lot of confidence ahead of this Test series against South Africa.

"Personally I am very confident ahead of the Test series. As I haven't got big runs lately I won't say I am out of form. I don't think those failures will put me under any pressure. I will not have any problems and I know what I will be facing and with the experience I have, I am confident of doing well," Pujara added.

The first Test between India and South Africa will be played at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium in Mohali. The remaining Tests will be played at Bangalore, Nagpur and New Delhi.